The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-03

| Sleppeu lnJO the pantry 10 swallow
a dram. so as to get my nerves togeth-
er, for 1 was trembling all over with
| the WEAKNESS IN me, and cold as ice on
the skin from the repeated housings |
| had received, then changed nv clothes;
| and never was any thing more COM
forting and grateful than the feel of
the dry flannel and the warm stock
ings and sea-bOots which | exchanged
for shoes that sopped like brown paper
and came to pieces in my hand when l
pulled them of.
The morning was now far advanced,
a little past eleven o'clock. | was anx-
ious TO ask Miss Robertson how she did
and knocked gently at her cabin door.
She responded by opening the door,
but the momen: she saw me look of
agOniZing sorrow came into her face,
and dropping into seat by the table
she buried her face in her hands.
l begged her not TO be alarmed and
assured her of our comparative safety.
She upturned her pale face, stream
ing with tears, and said the simple
words, but in a tone l shall never for
get: Papa is dead"'
Was it so, indeed?
Here was a blow | could not avert
sorrow no labor could remit
took her hand and raised her and
entered the cabin hand-in-hand with
her. 1t was too true. The poor old
man lay silent corpse.
''GOd was with him when he died,
said, and closed his poor eyes as
tenderly as my rough hands would let
me.
She looked at him, speechless with
grief, and burst into an uncomfortable
tit of crying.
My love and tenderness, my deep
pity of her lonely helplessness, were all
so great an impulse in me, that | took
her in my arms and held her while she
sobbed upon my shoulder. | am sure
that she knew my sorrow was deep
and real, and that held her to my
heart that she might not feel her lone
illness.
She said she could not bear the
thought of being separated from her
father.
But you will not be separated from
him." | answered, even though YOU
should never see him more with your
eyes. He will always be with you in
your thoughts, a dear friend, kind
companion and father as in life" And
thus in such words as l could find |
tried to console her.
She wept quietly and once or twice
looked up as though she would smile
through her tears. 1t happened that
my eye lighted on 4 little Bible l had
carried with me on all my voyages,
and it seemed to me that this was a
fitting time to invoke Gods mercy and
pray to him to watch over us.
She eagerly consented. The boat
swain could not leave the wheel to join
in our devOtions so l went on deck and
said to him:
Bosom, 1 am going to call in
Cornish and the steward, and read
prayers and ask God for his protec-
ton. should have liked you, brave
old messmate. to join, but as you can't
leave the deck, pray with US in your
heart. will you?"
AYE, aye. that will, heartily; an
| hope for the lady's sake that God AL
mighty hear us, for I'd sooner die
myself than she should, poor CELL! for
I'm older. and it's my turn afore hers
by rights"
l clapped him on the back and went
below, where | called to the steward
and Cornish, both of whom came aft |
on hearing my voice.
During my absence. Miss Robertson |
had taken the Bible and laid it open on
the table; and when the two men came |
in / said:
MY lads, we are in the hands of |
God, who is our Father: and will ask |
YOU to join this lady and me in thank
ing him for the mercy and protection
be has already vouchsafed us, and to |
pray to him to lead us out of present |
peril and bring us safely to the home
we love"
The steward said: YES, sir" and |
looked about him for a place TO sit or /
Nneel, but Cornish hung his head and |
glanced at the door shamefacedly.
You need not stop unless you wish. |
Cornish" said |. but why should |
you not JON us? The way you have
worked, the honest manner in which |
you have behaved, amply atone for the
past From no man can more than
hearty repentance be expected. and we
Ill stand in need of each others Pray
ers. Join US, mate"
Won't it be maxim kind OF game
, religion for the likes o me to pray?"
he answered. Il was for murderin'
you an the lady and all hands rs are
eft on board this wessel-what 'ud be
he use o my prayers?'
Miss Robertson went over to him and
ook his hand.
God" said she, has told us that
here is more Joy in Heaven over one
inner that repenteth than over ninety
just persons who need no re-
,entance. But who is good among US,
cornish? Be sure that As YOU repent
% are you forgiven. My poor father
les dead in his cabin. and | wish you
o pray with me for him, and to pray
With US for our own poor lives. Mr..
ioyle," she said, Cornish will stay"
And with an expression on her face
# infinite sweetness and pathos, she
rev him to one of the cushioned
ockers and seated herself by his side.
The steward seated himself on the
ther side of her and | began to read
rom the open book. l selected those
passages from the eleventh chapter of
ohm ending with the thirty-si Xth verse,
nd calling especial attention to the
Tords of Jesus addressed to Martha:
L am the resurrection and the life; he
hat beleveth in Me though he were
cad, yet shall he live" l also read
rom the eighth chapter of Matthew
hose few vexses wherein it is told that
'hriSt entered ship with His disciples
nd fhnsn nrnSn n great Storm